First Lutheran Church Gainesville began in 1931 with two Lutheran brothers and their families who had moved to Gainesville and worshipped together in their homes. A traveling Lutheran pastor came once a month to conduct the services for them. As more Lutheran families and students moved to the area, their number grew too large for their houses, so they held worship services in a former office and storeroom at a local mill where the brothers worked. A pastor of their own was sent to Gainesville in 1938 at that time — St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. So began a journey.
After twenty-one years of worshipping in various places, a happy congregation dedicated its chapel and student center on the current church property in December of 1952. It was a good time for a new beginning with a new name, and St. Matthews became First Lutheran Church Gainesville, or popularly known as FLC Gainesville.
The church changed along with the city around it and was re-dedicated in May of 1966. 2008 saw a huge change with a remodel of the Sanctuary and the addition of Open Arms Child Development Center.
